| Tuesday, 24 June 2008 Written by Kate Battersby What could be better than a pleasant stroll on an English summer's afternoon? Rafael Nadal experienced just such an agreeable start to his Wimbledon 2008 campaign on Centre Court this afternoon. The man tipped by so many to snatch Roger Federer's crown was troubled only latterly by Andreas Beck before seeing him off with an emphatic tie-break, 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 (7-0). A palpable ripple of anticipation greeted Nadal as he came on court. After all, was not this the man who crushed Federer in one of the most one-sided French Open finals in history? Was not this the man who not only won at Queen's this month in dazzling style, but by so doing became the first Spaniard to take a grass court title in 36 years? (Since you ask, the last was Andres Gimeno in 1972; but perhaps this is the start of a new Iberian trend, seeing as David Ferrer won in 's-Hertogenbosch last week) Nadal acknowledged their greeting with a wave, and got down to business. The 22-year-old Mallorcan has never lost in the first round here and given that his opponent, a fellow left-hander, spent last week engaged in the qualifying tournament at Roehampton, that record was not likely to be overturned today. Nonetheless, Beck, ranked 122, held his opening serve to love and got off to a bright start. He needed it, of course, given that this was not only his Grand Slam debut but his first Tour-level event outside his native Germany. Alas, a bright start was about as far as he got. Observers held their breath momentarily at 3-3 when Nadal appeared to hurt his right hand by touching down to steady himself during a rally. He spent the next few minutes repeatedly shaking his wrist and flexing his fingers. It would have been a nightmare if, after all the anticipation, injury reared its head. But the moment passed and in the same game Nadal made his breakthrough. In trademark fashion, he was scampering about the court, forcing Beck constantly to play one more shot. One such rescue prompted a Beck mistake for the break. Nadal stamped his authority by serving out the set to love. It felt as if he was moving up a gear, regaining his feel for the Centre Court grass. There were times when he seemed as comfortable on the green stuff as on the Roland Garros clay where he has won four straight titles. Certainly the changes he has brought to has game in adapting from clay to grass were delightful to see. They set him on his way to an early break in the second and that was enough. But Beck would not permit Nadal to coast to victory. At 1-1, he dug himself out of 15-40 to hold. Nadal's concentration perhaps wavered. At 3-3, the German fended off a quartet of break points. At 5-4, Beck even came within two points of the set. As it was, Nadal required the tie-break before he could finally triumph over his opponent. It might not have been the most absorbing encounter of the Spaniard's career, but his task for the day was complete.
| Centre Court - Gentlemen's Singles - 1st Round | |
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Match Statistics
